Kingdom, GCC condemn plot against Ambassador

October 12, 2011

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia strongly denounces and condemns the outrageous and heinous attempt to assassinate its Ambassador to the United States, a plot which is not consistent with normal humanitarian values and ethics or with international norms and traditions.

In a statement issued today, the Government of Saudi Arabia expressed its appreciation for the efforts undertaken by U.S. authorities – which were followed-up by the Kingdom – in the detection of the attempted assassination plot. The Kingdom will continue its contacts and coordination with the concerned U.S. authorities regarding this despicable plot and those behind it.

At the same time, the Kingdom is considering the critical procedures and steps that must be taken in this regard to stop these criminal acts and to firmly address any attempts to destabilize the Kingdom, threaten its security and spread sedition among its people, the statement added.

The Kingdom calls upon the Arab and Islamic nations and the international community to assume their responsibilities relating to these terrorist acts and the attempts to threaten not only the stability of countries, but international peace and security as well.

In a separate statement, Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), condemned the assassination attempt as a “flagrant and unacceptable violation of all laws, conventions and international norms, seriously harming the relations between the GCC member countries on the one hand and Iran on the other hand.”

Dr. Al-Zayani also lauded the effective cooperation between the competent security bodies in both the United States and Mexico, which put an end to this heinous act.

The Secretary General called upon Iran to rebuild its relations with the GCC member countries on the basis of openness, transparency, constructive cooperation and good neighborliness and to move away from its current negative approach.